I am going to buy one of these two shotguns for my son. I have read very good reviews for the Weatherby and some mixed (mostly good) reviews on the Mossberg. The biggest complaint on the Mossberg has been the stiff loading gate button and that you have to press this button to load the magazine. Does the Weatherby work the same way?? The Weatheby has 2 gas pistons which make it more reliable with the lighter loads. I think this gives the advantage to the Weatherby since this will be a starter gun and 7/8 oz loads will be most of what we shoot out of it.

I guess I didn't clarify that I am looking at the youth models in both guns. Also, I decided to go with the Weatherby SA-08 youth synthetic. Even though they are the same gun made in the same country I just am not a big fan of Mossberg and would rather have Weatherby stamped on the receiver.

A plus of the Weatherby SA-08 is the two pistons... with the light piston in, my 20 gauge SA-08 will cycle 1200 fps 3/4 oz reloads... in below freezing temps even. The recoil is super mild, and they still break clays no problem. (Rem hulls / Win primers / 13 gr International Clays / Versalite wads).

I will admit to one (and ONLY one) dislike... the bolt release button is a little stiff (you don't have to hold it in to load, at least)... on the other hand, my Benelli Cordoba has a stiff (and smaller) mag release button too.